So, you’ve figured out the focal point of the room, how the space needs to function, and how to appropriately select and/or arrange your furniture. If you’re already feeling lost, please reference part one of this blog! We won’t judge, we promise.

Now it’s time to decorate! After all, the great house stagers don’t stop at savvy furniture decisions — they’re also skilled at adding little accent pieces and decorations throughout the home, making spaces feel stylish, cozy and comfortable. But, what gives? We all decorate our homes, and yet that perfectly ‘staged’ look seems to elude most of us! What are they doing that we aren’t?

Luckily, these are questions that can be answered. They’re not using home décor wizardry — they just know a couple of easy tricks! And the best news? We’re here to share them with you.

 

Get Inspired!

First, we’ll just say this — there is no right or wrong way to decorate. Don’t feel like you have to choose (and stick to) one path. You can find success decorating in a number of ways, and actually, the best way to decorate is YOUR way. So find your inspiration!

Watch some home design shows on tv, stock up on home decor magazines, or head to Turn Style and browse through decor to see what speaks to you. Another great tip is to look inside your own closet. What sort of colors or styles do you gravitate toward? Do you like chic and sexy, or cute and comfortable? What colors do you see repeating over and over again? Chances are, the vibe of your wardrobe could be captured in your home, as well. Learning to choose a design style and color palette that matches your personal preferences will get you decorating with confidence, knowing what you’re looking for and what you’ll appreciate in your home.

Find Practical and Stylish Pieces

Let’s be honest, we all have plenty of stuff. Staged homes usually don’t. So it’s important to incorporate practical pieces into our decor to facilitate day-to-day life. Shelves, tables and cabinets can offer important functionality while looking great.

Shelves can store practical things like books, baskets, and bins, or more decorative items such as pottery, plants, photos, or anything else you’d like to display! And, let’s not forget, the shelf itself is a part of your decorating, too! Just make sure not to pack your shelves too tightly, making things look cluttered and messy.

Tables are a great solution as well. Coffee tables, end tables, and accent tables all offer valuable surface area — and sometimes storage — while all serving slightly different purposes. A coffee table demands attention, typically situated toward the middle of a room, and presents a large area on which to rest beverages (use a coaster!!), other items, or dare we say …feet? (that’s your call). Either way, try adding a few knick knacks onto your coffee table, such as a cute (and practical) tray or a few smaller items for a little extra charm.

End tables, though less attention-grabbing, also give a bit of functionality by providing a place to put drinks, remotes, photographs, small decorations, or lamps. Accent tables can add a ton of character to any room, giving purpose to otherwise underutilized spaces. Because accent tables typically serve less utilitarian purposes than other tables, feel free to add a little more flair when accessorizing them.

Cabinets can be a great way of hiding away items or displaying them, depending on the design. Treat glass cabinets as you would a shelf, adding eye-pleasing trinkets without over-cluttering. Solid-door cabinets can provide excellent storage, allowing you to hide away unsightly or high-volume items. However, we’re not giving you permission to stuff them so full that you’re hit with a junk avalanche every time you open the doors.

Let’s Talk Rugs!

Hard flooring, such as wood or tile, is low-maintenance, easy to clean, and looks terrific. But, if you’re missing that ‘plush’ look and feel, you better find yourself a great rug! Rugs come in all sizes, colors and designs, so find one that speaks to you! You’ll want to measure out your space before buying, but don’t be shy about sizing. A large rug can really tie together not only furniture and sitting areas, but also entire design themes! So go ahead and pull the trigger on that big ol’ lovable rug.

Pillows and Blankets

What makes a room cozier than a great offering of plush pillows and warm blankets? These days, you can find a pillow for almost anything! Need holiday-themed pillows for seasonal décor? No problem. Want a furry pillow to give your space some fascinating texture? Easy! No matter the shape, color or theme, there’s a pillow out there for the job.

Blankets, on the other hand, aren’t just great to use, they also add a warm touch to your decor. Much like pillows, they can add a lot of character with a variety of colors and textures. Blankets can be draped over couches or chairs to dress them up, or folded over beds, benches, or into cute little baskets. Let’s be honest, as long as the blanket isn’t a total mess, it’s gonna look cozy and inviting.

Benches

Speaking of benches, what’s your bench situation like? Benches are stylish, wholesome, and practical. They look great while offering additional seating and making use of wall space. While benches may not be appropriate for every room, they can really enhance entryways, dining rooms, and bedrooms. They also look great below windows and in hallways — if you have the space. They come in a wide variety of styles, so find one that matches your taste!

Lamps

Whether you’re into floor lamps, table lamps, or both, there’s no question that lamps are a great design choice. They offer softer lighting than most overhead fixtures, creating a more relaxing mood. They’re also as stylish as you want them to be — from quiet and reserved all the way to loud and attention-grabbing. We encourage you to be bold with your lamp choices! Life is too short to be boring, right? Get yourself a lamp that’ll bring some character to your space.

Wall Decorations

You didn’t do all this design work to leave your walls blank! Pick out some great mirrors and wall art to complete your perfectly-staged look.

For mirrors, pay attention to the size. When hanging a mirror above a piece of furniture, make sure the mirror is smaller than the furniture. A general rule of thumb is that mirrors should be about two-thirds the size of the furniture they’re hanging over. It’s also fun to play with shape and design. Although mirrors can grab attention, they’re typically more complimentary pieces, which gives you an opportunity to experiment with unconventional shapes and designs without making your space come across as too busy.

There are so many different ways of introducing art and decoration to your walls, it can get a little overwhelming to think about! Instead of trying to visualize something, we encourage you to be on the lookout for anything that catches your attention. Head to Turn Style and start browsing through paintings, photographs, prints, wall sculptures, or any other type of art to see what inspires you. Whether it’s something that ties in with a theme or stands out as a contrasting piece, buy what you love! If it’s true to your style, it’ll be sure to fit into your design.

Enough Talk. Let’s Shop!

Now you’ve read two blogs on how to stage like a pro. It’s time to stop dreaming about what your home could like and start making it happen!

The best part about staging your home like a pro? Everything is catered to you! Your style, your design, your things, your space. It’s time to do this! Take this knowledge straight to Turn Style to see how you can incorporate your new design chops.